3the Garnet Cafe 315 E Walnut Ave, Coeur d’ Alene, ID | 208.667.2729
The Garnet Cafe is the true farm-to-table breakfast experience. The owners also operate McLane Farms, located just a few miles away in Cougar Gulch. They use organic methods to raise livestock and they don’ t use pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics.
When you first walk into The Garnet Cafe, it looks as if it may be a greasy-spoon type diner, but it’ s kind of the opposite— it’ s gourmet. I ordered the“ Sockeye Salmon.” The creamy caper sauce was the perfect flavor, not too creamy and not too strong. And the wild-caught salmon was buttery and just right for a savory breakfast dish. It comes served with two eggs, Northwest potatoes, and your choice of toast. I subbed the potatoes for roasted veggies; Garnet is really accommodating in that way. The wheat toast was one of my favorite parts. They bring you their homemade lemon curd sauce and jam to go with your toast. Their lemon curd is reason enough to make the drive to Coeur d’ Alene. It tasted exactly like a lemon meringue pie! They also have a rosemary toast that everyone was raving about.
We also tried the“ Sandpoint Omelet” made with McLane Farms bacon, sausage and ham, sautéed onions and cheddar, then topped with smoked pork link sausage. I had to give the biscuits and gravy a try since I am a southern girl at heart. I’ m happy to report that even drenched in gravy, the biscuits never got soggy. They stayed flakey and fresh, which is the main thing I look for in a good biscuit and gravy dish.
60 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE